Time has flown by and now that the end is four weeks away (give or take a couple weeks…preferable take a couple weeks, hint hint, baby), it seems to have slowed down. Have I ever mentioned how much I love a simple lifestyle? 🙂 My days have certainly become less complicated as I plug away on the remaining jobs that need done before baby, plus spend time with my girls.

Sauntina is such a joy with her non-stop chatter of everything and giving me glimpses into the mind of a toddler, and Marilee loves to walk, read books, play with her teapot, and follow Sauntina in nearly everything she does. If Sauntina is running around the coffee table singing to her hearts content, Marilee is usually right behind her trying to run with her toddling steps! And little junior must hear the excitement because he/she adds to the fun with a stream of kicks and rolls (ouch? Sorry, little one, there’s not a lot of room in there anymore and mommy’s ribs only give so much..).

Marilee brought over one of her favorite books this morning – the Children’s Illustrated Hymnbook from In The Gap – and settled in for awhile. She had everything she needed – snuggling with mommy, music as mommy sang the songs , pictures to look at, a fire in the fireplace… And her own personal arm rest thanks to baby!

With freezing temperatures, many inches of snow, and being 33 weeks pregnant, I’m afraid we haven’t gotten out much lately! But thankfully my girls enjoy the home and are kept busy with great books to read, crafts to do, and toys to play with…scattered with much-needed nap(s) in amongst them as well (both for children AND mommy!). We are so grateful for warmth, food, and things to keep us busy!

Sauntina reading in front of the fire…

Marilee reading one of her favorite books illustrated by hey very own Uncle Donald!

It’s so hard to believe that my baby is one all ready! This year seems to have flown by and from looking at the pictures, it was well spent with many loving memories, giggles and laughs, lessons learned, and blessings abounding.

Marilee has given us so much joy this year with her smiles, little wrinkled nose when she’s especially happy, and active desire to DO things and go, go, GO! She is now busy crawling everywhere she possibly can and pulling herself up on anything that will hold her. She’s slowly starting to make her way around the coffee table so I think walking is in the near future.

Here’s a few pictures from her first ladybug birthday party that Aunt Esther helped put on!

My little ladybugs with Uncle Daniel!

The BEAUTIFUL cake Aunt Esther made!

Due to just getting over an ear infection, Marilee wasn’t the happiest of birthday girls, but a cell phone (and one for everyone – thanks parents) did go a long way to make a happy picture!

We played “Pin the dot on the Ladybug!” Sauntina wasn’t too keen on doing it herself so she guided her blindfolded uncle on where to put it. Marilee needed a little help reaching…and leaving it there (it somehow made it into her mouth!).

The lovely group of kiddos that helped celebrate! We had soup and sandwiches for everyone – there’s always a wonderful reason to get families together for fellowship!

Marilee cried at the sight of her two ladybugs cupcakes and wouldn’t touch them, but after being fed a couple bites, she became an old pro in no time (a rather tidy eater, I must say).

We had many hands to help with her gifts!

Thank you, Esther and Daniel (and Emily!), for helping make this party happen and for all the work you did behind the scenes! I appreciate you very much!

I have never been camping before…I haven’t even slept in a tent in the backyard! But that was about to change when the Camp family invited us to join them and their three children for a weekend of camping in the White Pines State Park!

Those three days out in nature were wonderful and although I didn’t sleep that well the first night due to hearing a leaf falling on the tent, a raccoon waddling by, my girls stirring in their beds, and campers talking late into the night, the second night way better and I slept deeply! Marilee had just learned how to crawl so she kept venturing off her blanket to taste new rocks, leaves, and sticks – it was a constant job to keep up with her! And dear Sauntina…my sweet Sauntina was dirty from head to toe after playing in dirt, rocks, leaves, water, and even cooled off ashes. But oh! Was she ever happy! I think she really enjoyed the camping trip with little people around her age to enjoy and endless hours to play outside!

Robert’s birthday always falls on a fun week – the 4th of July celebrations! For the 4th, Daniel, Robert, Sauntina, Marilee and I went to Cantigny Park to enjoy the beautiful, family-friendly grounds and listen to the grand Navy band play patriotic songs. Sauntina loved climbing all over the display tanks with Daniel!

And today, just a couple days later, we celebrate the birthday of a wonderful man of God, the fearless leader in our family, our spiritual guide, and creative inventor of many exciting adventures! May your new year be blessed, Robert! Thank you for your leadership, love, and direction in our lives…your girls love you VERY much!

Robert, Sauntina, Marilee and I were able to take a trip back to Canada in February to visit my parents in lieu of the missed Christmas plans because of the hospital stay. Sauntina loved playing with the new toys, reading with Nana & Dido…and hiding under the couch!

Sauntina celebrated her second birthday last Friday with her little sister, uncles, aunt, and grandparents who had driven all the way from West Virginia! I’ll post pictures from her party soon, but for now, here’s a few pictures from a photo shoot we did with Nathan Corduan last week. Esther and Jonathan came along to help make Sauntina smile…her skill at smiling for the camera are completely undeveloped so far. 🙂 Our little princess is growing so quickly!

And what would a toddler photoshoot be without tears??? We love you, girls!